Author Archives: wallwritings

Unknown's avatar

About wallwritings

From 1972 through 1999, James M. Wall was editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine, based in Chicago, lllinois. He was a Contributing Editor of the Century from 1999 until July, 2017. He has written this blog, wall writings.me, since it was launched April 27, 2008. If you would like to receive Wall Writings alerts when new postings are added to this site, send a note, saying, Please Add Me, to jameswall8@gmail.com Biography: Journalism was Jim's undergraduate college major at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He has earned two MA degrees, one from Emory, and one from the University of Chicago, both in religion. He is an ordained United Methodist clergy person. He served for two years in the US Air Force, and three additional years in the USAF reserve. While serving on active duty with the Alaskan Command, he reached the rank of first lieutenant. He has worked as a sports writer for both the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, was editor of the United Methodist magazine, Christian Advocate for ten years, and editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine for 27 years. James M Wall died March 22, 2021 at age 92. His family appreciates all of his readers, even those who may have disagreed with his well-informed writings.

Will Israel Block Hagel as Defense Secretary?

by James M. Wall Former Nebraska Senator Charles (Chuck) Hagel (above right) may be nominated by President Barack Obama to be secretary of defense. The President is known to like his old Senate colleague, a Republican who, like Obama, considered … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Middle East Politics, Obama, Politics and Elections | 19 Comments

“The fate of human dignity is in our hands.”

by James M. Wall Writing for both Newsweek and The Daily Beast, Peter Beinart used a surprising phrase to describe how President Obama plans to deal with the Israel/Palestine issue during his second term. Beinart took his clue from the … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Obama, Politics and Elections, The Human Condition | 10 Comments

Israel Plans a “Doomsday Settlement” for E1

by James M. Wall Israel’s response to the United Nations’ overwhelming vote to admit Palestine to the UN was easily predictable. Israel had been waiting for just this moment to announce it would build a settlement in Area E1 (East … Continue reading

Posted in -Movies and politics, -Movies and Religion, Middle East Politics, Movies, Netanyahu, Obama | 16 Comments

Palestine Granted UN Observer State Status

by James M. Wall History may well record what happened on November 29, 2012, as Mahmoud Abbas’ “finest hour”. This was the day the Palestinian Authority president (right) announced to the world that he would no longer bow to blackmail … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, United Nations, USA | 25 Comments

Clinton In Middle East As Ceasefire Begins

by James M. Wall UPDATE POSTED 3:20 PM CST WEDNESDAY The Guardian reported at 15:57 EST that Israel and Hamas have agreed to end eight days of conflict between the two groups in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has claimed more than … Continue reading

Posted in Hillary Clinton, Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Obama | 18 Comments

Israel Looks To Exodus In Gaza Invasion

by James M. Wall  The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) selected two names for Israel’s current military assault against an imprisoned Gaza population. This is a military that thinks seriously about naming its military assaults. The first name given the second … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Obama, Politics and Elections | 12 Comments

Voters to Obama: Move Now on Palestine

by James M. Wall Joy and relief are evident on the faces of the Obama family, shown here arriving back in Washington, the day after the election. Obama’s victory over Mitt Romney November 6, was also a moment of deep satisfaction for … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Netanyahu, Obama, Politics and Elections, Romney | 13 Comments

Memo To Obama: Bring Back Chas Freeman

by James M. Wall Less than a month after his 2009 inauguration, President Barack Obama made a move that quietly told the Israel Lobby there was a new sheriff in town. He selected an experienced diplomat, Chas Freeman, to serve … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Obama, Romney | 13 Comments

Romney’s “Peculiar Sense” of Geography

by James M. Wall After eight years of running for president, Mitt Romney has yet to master the geography of the Middle East. His knowledge appears limited to what he sees from his hotel room in Jerusalem, following the example … Continue reading

Posted in -Movies and politics, Middle East Politics, Movies, Netanyahu, Obama, Politics and Elections, Romney | 10 Comments

New York Times Flacks for Jewish Groups Against 15 Major Christian Leaders

by James M. Wall You have to know American Jewish leaders are really riled up when they call on the New York Times to flack for them against 15 leaders of Christian churches who had the audacity to send a letter … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Religion and politics | 26 Comments